Hidden Scars by Amanda King Read Free Book Online Page B

said it to scare you.”
    “He put the gun in my face and swore to God he’d kill you before ever allowing us to be together.” The vision of that night replayed in my mind, and as if someone placed their hands around my throat, I couldn’t breathe.
    “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
    Once in the car, Chuck cradled my face with his hands and pressed his forehead against mine. “Morgan, do you trust me?”
    “You know I do.”
    “Then listen to me. Your parents are never going to hurt you again. They’ve done and said horrible things to you, but it’s time to take that power away from them. Once we’re married, whether they accept it or not, there’s nothing they can do about it, or to you. I won’t allow it. You’ve got a decision to make. Do you want to continue to give them the freedom to hurt you, or will you take a stand and say enough is enough? It won’t happen overnight, but with time, it will.”
    Tears filled my eyes. “I know what you’re saying, but I’m afraid. You don’t know what it’s like. After so many years, how can I change? How do you face someone who’s been so cruel and say, ‘I’m not afraid of you anymore?’”
    He removed his hands from my face, reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, and handed it to me. “You take it one step at a time. We’ll walk this road together.” He gently eased my head to his shoulder.
    I’d cried so much over the pain my parents had caused. Now my tears fell as the truth sank in. I had someone on this earth who knew, understood, and loved me enough to stand, not beside me, but in front of me, to protect me. Finally, I began to acknowledge that the dark days and physical pain were coming to an end. For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of relief. God had answered my prayers.
    When there were no more tears left, I raised my head from Chuck’s shoulder and drew in a deep breath. Black marks from my mascara smeared his handkerchief and shirt. I adjusted the rearview mirror, dabbed at my raccoonish smudged eyes, and then turned to him pointing at my face. “How can you love this?”
    He touched me above my left breast with his finger. “I know your heart. I love who you are.”
    I’d never experienced true, unconditional love from another human. Other than my salvation, Chuck was the greatest gift God had ever given me.
    He smiled and ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “What day this week do you want to make a trip to Alabama? We’ll see a lawyer and find out all the legalities about getting married. I think it’ll help us both.”
    We decided to make the trip Friday morning. I’d have to skip all my classes, but I needed to know my parents wouldn’t legally be able to erase the vows we’d be making to God and each other.
    #
    That evening, after Chuck left and the girls returned from their visits with parents and friends, the usual group met in Jennifer’s room to discuss our weekend adventures.
    Mimi sat on the edge of the desk with her feet propped on the garbage can. “What’d you do this weekend, Morgan? You act like you’ve had a dose of nitrous oxide. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy. Did you hear from your secret admirer?”
    “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
    “That means you did hear from him.” The wastebasket slipped from under her feet and rolled across the floor. She sprang from the desk, picked up the spilled items, and continued with her questions. “Did y’all go out? What’s his name? What does he look like?”
    “Good grief, Mimi, you’d think you were her mother instead of a friend,” Wendy scolded. “Leave her alone.”
    I leaned over and whispered as if she were the only one privy to my secret. “No, I don’t mind telling you. He did call, and we went out Friday night. He’s very nice looking, tall, well-mannered, madly in love, and wants to marry me.”
    Mimi curled up her lip and banged the metal can back in its place. “Right.”
    The room burst into